A stolen kiss. A forced marriage. Can a Scottish chief and English lady learn to love each other?
The Warrior
After two rejected proposals, Graeme de Sowlis has no interest in marriage. The Scottish clan chief would much rather preserve his heart and focus on promoting peace along the increasingly contentious border. His best-laid plans change when he accepts an invitation to a May Day … invitation to a May Day celebration at Kenshire Castle in England. When he’s caught in a stolen kiss with the May Day Queen, his integrity requires that he marry her.
The Queen
Gillian Bowman is so eager to please her father, she’s agreed to marry the ancient Earl of Covington to save the family manor. Though she has every intention of doing just that, curiosity drives her into the arms of a handsome Scottish chief. When they’re caught and forced to marry, she’s horrified. The Earl of Covington has the ability to ruin her family, and her new husband seems reluctant to open up to her outside of the bedroom. Can love bloom from such humble beginnings?
The Warrior’s Queen is a force marriage medieval romance fans of alpha male heroes. It is the sixth book in the Border Series but can be read as a standalone novel.
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“The Warrior’s Queen” is Ms. Mecca’s sixth book in her Border series and finally gives Scottish Clan Chief Graeme de Sowlis his story. Poor Graeme has not fared well in the past books when it came to love and marriage. Because of this he has hardened his heart and has no interest in marriage. While on a peace mission to Kenshire Castle to gain English support in quelling border unrest he takes a fancy to Lady Gillian Bowman who he crowns the May Queen. That interest results in a stolen kiss. Unfortunately that kiss was witnessed by others and the result was a hasty marriage between two strangers. Not an ideal way to begin a marriage but Ms. Mecca’s expert writing creates a wonderful story that is substantive, steeped in historical details, and is a blend of romance, action and drama. Graeme had some major issues to deal with based on past experiences. Gillian as a dutiful daughter had a secret concerning her family. How they resolved these issues made for a fast paced intriguing story which I really enjoyed and highly recommend.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author. It was a pleasure to give my honest opinion about the book
Cecelia Mecca continues to set the bar high on historical romance with her vivid character and historical descriptions. Be still my heart. Readers of this series have been waiting for the story of Graeme de Sowlis, who in previous stories, has been disappointed by two ladies who chose other men. With his confidence level low, he is determined not to fall in love and get hurt again. He has focused on being a worthy laid for his clan and promoting peace in the borders between Scotland and England. While visiting Kenshire Castle in England for the May Day celebration, he spies Gillian Bowman, who has been made Queen of the day. One thing leads to another and he is caught kissing Gillian in an unexpected encounter. Being the honorable person he is, he is determined to marry her. A handsome Scottish warrior and a beautiful young woman? What could be so bad?
Gillian has agreed to marry the Earl of Covington, a rich elderly man, to please her father and help save their home. When she is caught with Graeme, she is mortified but has no choice but to marry him. This is were the story begins to tug at your heart.
Can Graeme let go of past hurts and give his heart to Gillian? Can she trust him to be honest and help with her family while not breaking her heart? There were so many emotions and wonderful secondary characters that played important parts in this tale. I loved watching the story unfold as Graeme fought to stay distant from Gillian and not fall in love with her. They were so right for each other and passionate in their desires.
With each story I have read in this series, I think it is the best one. But I loved this story and could not put it down. Yes I stayed up until 3:00 in the morning! This entire series is on my to be read again shelf and I cannot wait for the next installment!!
I think this is one of the best books yet from the Border Series. Gillian & Graeme are caught kissing in the garden at Kenshire Castle, and are forced to marry. Their journey to love is troubled by outside influences. Will Graeme put the past behind him? Will Gillian decide to accept her situation and not feel guilty about her family? Such fantastic main and secondary characters, make the story flow smoothly all the way through, and ensures that you don’t want to put the book down. The background story of the problems at the border, works its way through all of Cecelia’s books, and adds to the tension in the main storyline. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to the next one.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a good historical romance series. While The Warrior’s Queen is part of the Border Series you don’t have to have read the rest before starting this one. Loved the Gillian & Graemes story and the HEA that they got, but i didn’t want the book to end. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Graeme has had two marriage proposals rejected and isn’t looking for love. Gillian is marrying the old Earl of Covington to pay off her father’s debts. Graeme and Gillian meet at a May Day fair and end up being caught in a passionate kiss. The end up getting married but will they have more than just passion in the bedroom? This is a fast-paced read with an entertaining story. I really liked the Graeme and Gillian and the chemistry between them is steamy. The story really draws you in and takes you back in time, plenty of drama intrigue and adventure. A great read!
I will admit to waiting with a certain level of impatience for each new story in this series and when it finally comes out, I eagerly read it. As in immediately. Because…well…I am a sucker for a good historical romance and when it happens to come in a series…oh yea.
The stories take place during the reign of King Edward and the men are strong and the women are feisty.
Likes: Like in the other stories, I really like Graeme and Gillian and how they grew to love each other. The location/timeline is unique to my reading, which makes the story building that much more entertaining for me. Given that this is a series; we will see many of the same characters traversing the different halls or at least made mention of. I always love the chemistry that exists between the hero and heroine and often the sudden “hit on the back of the head” when one or the other finally realizes that they are in love, for indeed, these stories all have a happily ever after.
“The Warrior’s Queen” is book six in Cecelia Mecca’s Border Series and while each story does work as a standalone, you really are best starting with book one
Another wonderful story in this series!
Each one pulls you in and takes you back in time. Well-written and highly descriptive with wonderful characters. If you like steamy historical romance, this is the series for you!
I received an arc of this book. My opinions are my own.